Societies that forget their history begin to produce 'cockroaches': Union Minister
Jaipur, June 17
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday said that a society which does not acquaint its future generations with its history, stories of valour and cultural heritage gradually loses its self-confidence.
Such a society, he remarked, eventually begins to produce "cockroaches" among its generations.
Addressing the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebration organised by the Maharana Pratap Foundation at Birla Auditorium, Shekhawat said the occasion was not merely an opportunity to remember a great warrior, but to pay tribute to the spirit of self-respect, freedom, cultural identity and resistance that protected India from the darkness of subjugation.
The Union Minister said Maharana Pratap's struggle was not confined to Mewar alone. Rather, it was a battle to safeguard self-respect, freedom and cultural identity against an expansionist imperial mindset.
He noted that not only warriors but also ordinary citizens, tribal communities and even loyal companions such as Chetak played vital roles in this struggle.
Shekhawat observed that, for decades, Indian history had been presented from a one-sided perspective. As a result, several chapters highlighting India's resistance and bravery were pushed to the margins.
Referring to the battles of Haldighati and Dewair, he said Maharana Pratap's courage and later achievements had not received the recognition they deserved.
He asserted that India's history is not a history of defeat but one of continuous resistance, resurgence and national pride.
Great personalities such as Bappa Rawal, Maharana Sanga, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bajirao Peshwa and Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed everything to preserve India's cultural consciousness and civilisational values.
"History is not merely a collection of dates, wars and events. It is the collective memory of a nation," Shekhawat said, adding that when a society's memories weaken, its self-confidence also diminishes.
Therefore, revisiting and rewriting history on the basis of research and facts has become the need of the hour.
Speaking about the younger generation, he said that, in the age of artificial intelligence and digital technology, the information available online would shape the knowledge base of future generations.
It is, therefore, essential to make authentic, research-based historical content available in digital formats.
Concluding his address, Shekhawat recalled how grandparents once connected children with history and cultural values through folk tales and traditional stories.
He warned that if a society fails to pass on its stories of glory to future generations, does not instil pride in its heritage and allows its history to be forgotten, then "cockroaches begin to emerge" within those generations.
Earlier, Maharana Pratap Foundation Convener Prem Singh Banvas welcomed the Union Minister.
Several dignitaries and community representatives, including MLA Balmukund Acharya and former MP Ramcharan Bohra, were present on the occasion.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I agree with the sentiment about preserving history, but calling people 'cockroaches' is unnecessarily demeaning. 🇮🇳 We can inspire pride in heritage without resorting to such language. That said, he's right about our history being distorted - I've seen how Kerala's local heroes are barely mentioned in national textbooks. Let's focus on inclusive historical narratives that celebrate all our valiant warriors, not just the famous ones.
As someone who studied in a CBSE school, I can totally relate. We memorized dates of battles but never really understood the spirit behind them. Maharana Pratap's struggle wasn't just a war - it was a statement of self-respect. Even today, when I visit Haldighati, I feel a lump in my throat thinking about Chetak's loyalty. Yes, we need digital archives and better research, but most importantly, parents and grandparents need to start telling these stories again at home. 📚
Interesting perspective from an Indian minister. I'm an expat living in Jaipur and I've learned so much about Rajput history since moving here. The passion for Maharana Pratap is palpable. But I worry that 'rewriting history' can sometimes lead to biased narratives. Why not focus on celebrating what's true - the incredible resistance against Mughal expansion, the tribal alliances, the guerilla warfare tactics that are still studied worldwide. That's more powerful than calling anyone a cockroach.
"Cockroaches" might be a strong word but look at our youth today - glued to reels, clueless about their own heritage. 😤 My 15-year-old nephew knows more about Instagram influencers than Bappa Rawal or Maharana Sanga. We really need to digitize authentic content. Also, they should include stories of common tribal warriors who fought alongside Rana Pratap - not just the kings. Real history is about the collective spirit of a civilization, not just a few heroes.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.